In her free time, Stacey Abela enjoyed creating wax melts while Christina Desira loved making chocolate treats. A couple of years ago, both women decided to turn their hobby into a full-time job. Claire Caruana listens to how they managed to set up shop despite various hurdles and what it takes to become a successful entrepreneur.

Stacey Abela

Stacey Abela, 46, has been successfully running her own wax melts store My Melts in Mosta since April 2013. After going through various life-changing experiences, she decided to take her hobby of making scented wax melts to the next level.

“Being 46 years old, divorced, with medical issues and four children led me to take my most favourite hobby and turn it into a business. My friends then gave me that extra push I needed,” says Stacey.

She makes all her own products, and while admitting this is very time-consuming, she prefers this over buying ready-made melts.

“When you make your own product you know exactly what goes into it and how it works. You can have more faith and pride in the product if you know what’s in it,” claims Stacey.

It’s hard work and get ready to do the hours but most importantly, never give up on yourself despite the odds

She believes women are as capable as men, saying that female entrepreneurs are “no more and no less” than their male counterparts. Yet, she admits it hasn’t always been easy being a woman who runs her own business on her own. But she strives to keep going and often finds inspiration in other successful women.

“I’ve had my fair share of bumps in the road, but as Marilyn Monroe once said: ‘I don’t mind being in a man’s world as long as I can be a woman in it.’ I truly believe in this. So much so, I have this quote as a poster proudly hanging in my shop,” she quips.

Stacey says that her main struggle is not being taken seriously.

“I order an item to make my products, and a month later I go and order more, and I get told ‘Wow, you sold them! We really didn’t think you’d come back!’ It’s not very encouraging but you brush it off, believe in yourself and your product, smile and continue.”

Stacey encourages women to follow their dreams, yet warns some struggles are to be expected.

“It’s hard work and one must be ready to do the hours but, most importantly, one must never give up despite the odds.”

Stacey’s next goal is to make her business a household name.

“Opening the store has to be my best achievement ever. The smile on people’s faces and their reactions when they smell the fragrances and look around the shop... it’s an amazing feeling knowing that something so small you’ve made can have such a big impact on someone else’s feelings and mood.

“It still has a long way to go and I’m ready to work 24/7 to get there. I have big plans!”

Christina Desira

After graduating in tourism studies, Christina Desira, 22, decided it was the right time to turn her dream of running her own chocolate business into reality. She travelled to the UK where she attended chocolate courses. After taking part in a number of local events, she slowly started to build a clientele and decided to open her own shop.

“I’ve been running the business for nearly two years now and, with the help of my family, we take part in events and markets such as the Chocolate Festival and the Malta artisan markets,” says Christina.

“At one point it became apparent that an actual base of operations would prove to be useful and this resulted in the opening of Desirably Yours in Ħamrun last August.”

Having a shop allows her to give a more direct service to customers than simply taking orders on Facebook or e-mail.

Christina believes in giving her clients as genuine a product as possible and so makes all the chocolates herself.

“Making the products myself gives me a sense of satisfaction in knowing that what I’m providing the customer with is a genuine product made from the finest ingredients.

As I’m still quite young, a lot of people assume I am not the owner. Others seem to think I am not experienced

“It would definitely be much easier and less time-consuming to stock products made by others, but I am not aiming to provide people with items that are easily available from every store they visit.”

Christina, who is still in her early 20s, laments she often has to convince people she is the one who runs the business.

“As I’m still quite young, a lot of people assume I am not the owner. Others seem to think I am not experienced. In certain cases, when I’ve had to deal with men, I’ve sometimes found it to be difficult as they act condescending.”

But she points out she has met others who have been very helpful.

“In other cases, the men I’ve dealt with went out of their way to help me since I’m still starting out. I cannot really generalise. Some take you seriously, others don’t.”

As regards clients, Christina admits that many do not appreciate the effort and time it takes to make her products, perhaps because the art of handmade chocolate is quite a new concept locally.

“People tend to compare the chocolate I make to the large chocolatiers abroad; however, there is a great difference between freshly-made chocolate and that which is manufactured.

“Both are obviously good taste-wise, but the handmade product will take far more time to finish. It is a delicacy. Compared to other handmade chocolatiers abroad, my prices are far cheaper. Those who visit such chocolatiers acknowledge this fact, but unfortunately, the majority still think otherwise.”

She believes determination is key in running a successful business, however one should accept any support from friends and family as it can be tough to run a one-man show at times.

“While setbacks will inevitably occur, in order to succeed, one must not give up at the first hurdle.”

Christina is currently working on new products and plans to expand her brand.

“I am constantly trying out new products to cater for people’s different tastes and dietary requirements. I still plan on taking part in events and artisan markets, but I’m also working towards making my products available in other outlets across the island.

“Hopefully, by time, people will start to appreciate handmade chocolate more.”